West Brom took another step towards securing their spot in the Championship play-offs on Sunday afternoon.
That came with a thumping 4-1 win over Huddersfield Town at The John Smith’s Stadium. Thanks to that result, the Baggies remain five points clear 7th place Hull City in the race for a top six spot.
It is now five games unbeaten for the Baggies, and one man who has played a key role in that, is Mikey Johnston.
The January loan signing from Celtic netted a brace in West Brom‘s win in Yorkshire on Sunday. He also teedup Okay Yokuslu for his stunning strike during that match.
As a result, Johnston has now scored six goals and provided one assist in just nine matches for the Baggies.
That is now seeing many people, tip the 24-year-old to be a key man for Carlos Corberan‘s side in any potential play-off campaign.
West Brom man identified as potential play-off ‘game-changer’
While Johnston has stood out with some spectacular moments since making the move to The Hawthorns, his side have not always produced the all-round performances to go with it.
As a result, Sam Parkin believes the contributions of the winger, that are helping West Brom to pick up these points, could see him prove decisive if they reach the play-offs.
Speaking about Johnston and the Baggies’ recent form on The Championship Check-In podcast, the former Millwall and Luton Town striker said:
“They’ve got the individuals, and none more so than him, to get them points at the moment. So he could be one of the most vital players in the division over the next two or three months for when we are inevitably talking about West Brom and their tactical set-ups for the play-offs, he could be that game changer.”
Next up for West Brom is the visit of Bristol City to The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.
Mikey Johnston will be key for Baggies
It would be no huge surprise if Johnston plays a decisive role in the play-offs.
Despite the results, things have not always been the most convincing in terms of on-pitch performances for West Brom recently.
The first half against Huddersfield Town for example, was particularly disappointing. However the Baggies are finding ways to overcome that to pick up points even so.
Johnston’s goals are making him a big part of that, and they have secured several points to keep the club in a strong position in the play-off race.
That ought to mean he would be vital to any hopes West Brom have of securing a top six spot.
If he can then continue to come up with those moments in the play-offs, they could prove all-important with regards to deciding the promotion battle.
With that in mind, the signing of Johnston in January, could prove to be a major turning point in the course of West Brom’s season.